New American Shakespeare Tavern Presents ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Now thru 9/30

Welcome to The Shakespeare Evolution Series! Now that New American Shakespeare Tavern has completed Shakespeare's entire canon, they're starting over by producing the plays in the order in which they were written. Last season the Tavern started with the comedies. The theatre will finish them in September 2012 and begin with the tragedies.

All’s Well that Ends Well (in repertory with Measure for Measure)
Directed by Drew Reeves
$15 General Admission Preview Sunday Sept 9 & Thurs Sept 13
Performances tonight, September 14, 15, 20, 22, 28, 30, 2012

There is nothing that Helena won’t do to be with the haughty Bertram, who has run away to avoid being with her. By setting her up with seemingly impossible tasks to perform in order to bring him back, he thinks he’s safe from being her husband. What could possibly go wrong? Full of outrageous plot twists and tricks, this comedic tale is sure to surprise and entertain.

Join the cast and crew members for a lively Question and Answer session on Sunday September 16 after the show.

Dramatis Personae

King of France Maurice Ralston*
Bertram, Count of Rousillon Paul Hester*
Countess of Rousillon, Mother to Bertram Laura Cole
Lavatch, a Clown in her household Matt Felten
Helena, a Gentlewoman protected by the Countess Jaclyn Hofmann

Lafew, an old Lord Doug Kaye*
Parolles, a follower of Bertram Matt Nitchie
An Old Widow of Florence Erin Considine
Diana, Daughter to the Widow Jennifer Alice Acker
Steward to the Countess of Rousillon Mark Schroeder
Violenta Kristin Storla

Mariana Hayley Platt
Lords Kenneth Wigley (Lord G), Chris Schulz (Lord E), Daniel Parvis, Mark Schroeder

Soldiers Doug Kaye*, Maurice Ralston*, Matt Felten, Daniel Parvis, Mark Schroeder

Servants/Attendants Kenneth Wigley, Chris Schulz, Daniel Parvis, Mark Schroeder, Hayley Platt, Kristin Storla

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

SYNOPSIS (from The Pocket Companion to Shakespeare’s Plays by J C Trewin): "Helena, an orphan, loves Bertram, son of the dowager Countess of Rousillon, who has brought her up. When the haughty young man goes as a ward to the French King, Helena – whose father has been a celebrated physician – follows him, hoping that she may cure the King of a painful illness. She does so with one of her father’s remedies; and being offered her choice of husband from the gentlemen at court, chooses Bertram. Snobbishly, he objects –'A poor physician’s daughter my wife!' – but forced by the King, agrees to the match. Immediately afterwards he runs away to Florence as a volunteer in the Tuscan wars – the Florentines against the Sienese – with a cowardly braggart, Parolles, as his companion.

Back at Rousillon Helena learns that Bertram will take her as his wife when she has got from his finger a prized heirloom-ring and borne him a child. She goes, in pilgrim’s dress, the Florence, where Bertram is seeking to seduce a widow’s daughter, Diana. Helena persuades Diana to yield to him but to ask for his ring and to make an assignation which she, Helena, will keep.

Meanwhile, the follow-officers of Parolles trick him into exposing his cowardice. Diana, having got Bertram’s ring, duly arranges a midnight meeting with him; hidden by darkness, Helena takes Diana’s place and gives Bertram as a keepsake a ring she had received from the King of France. Hearing that Helena is dead, Bertram returns to Rousillon, where his mother and the old Lord, Lafeu, also believe the story.

Lafeu arranges a match between his daughter and Bertram, who prepares to give to her the ring from Helena. The King recognizes it and orders Bertram’s arrest. Diana, newly arrived, accuses Bertram of seducing her; when he denies it, the King orders her to prison as well, but her mother, the widow, produces 'bail', Helena herself, who is to have Bertram’s child. 'All yet seems well,' say the King comfortably, 'and if it end so meet/The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.'"

Performance days & times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 6:30 PM. Ticket prices range from $15 to $36, depending on the section, night and whether it's a special performance. An 8 percent sales tax is added on top of all purchases made at The Shakespeare Tavern. Discount Ticket Options: $15 for Previews (unless otherwise noted); Student/Educator prices: $5 off per price level per night except in the Balcony on Thursdays and Sundays. Not valid on Saturday nights; $14 for 10am matinees; $3 off for Military, Seniors, Groups of 10 or more, except in the Balcony on Sundays. Promotional discount offers are not valid closing weekend of a performance. Purchase tickets online for most performances at www.shakespearetavern.com.

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